{"id":199473,"date":"2025-06-20T09:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T09:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/199473\/"},"modified":"2025-06-20T09:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T09:12:14","slug":"review-28-years-later-a-brexit-vibe-as-we-enter-a-heart-of-darkness-where-alpha-zombies-run-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/199473\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: 28 Years Later \u2013 A Brexit vibe as we enter a ‘Heart of Darkness’ where alpha zombies run wild"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Aaron Taylor-Johnson, left, and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later<\/p>\n

By VIEWdigital editor Brian Pelan<\/p>\n

The opening scene in 28 Days Later (2002) was visceral filmmaking at its best, introducing us to the Rage Virus and its devastating effects on humans. <\/strong><\/p>\n

This hit film, directed by Danny Boyle, was followed by 28 Weeks Later (2007), directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, which failed to make the same impact \u2013 apart from a spectacular opening as Don (played by Robert Carlyle) abandons his wife to the clutches of a zombie mob in order to make his getaway.<\/p>\n

Boyle has taken up the reins for the second time to deliver 28 Years Later.<\/p>\n

The scene is set 28 years after the Rage Virus escaped from a research laboratory, survivors have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One group lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a fortified causeway.<\/p>\n

Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Jamie, who takes his 12-year-old son Spike (Alfie Williams) on a rite of passage to the mainland, where zombies are dispatched with arrows rather than bullets. The community in which they live has regressed to a medieval existence. We sense a definite Brexit vibe, as Britain has been sealed off from the rest of Europe to prevent the Rage Virus from spreading.<\/p>\n

We are taken into Heart of Darkness territory as Spike returns again to the mainland along with his sick mother, Isla (Jodie Comer).<\/p>\n

The overall theme is much more meditative than violent \u2013 none more so than when we are introduced to the thoughtful Dr Ian Keson, played by Ralph Fiennes in a scene-stealing performance.<\/p>\n

We also witness a poignant moment when we get a glimpse of the Sycamore Gap tree <\/a>near Hadrian\u2019s Wall\u2014evidently filmed before it was cut down.<\/p>\n

Lovers of zombie movies may feel slightly cheated that humans being ravaged by the infected is not the dominant storyline. But a huge alpha zombie chasing a father and son will always get you crunching into your popcorn.<\/p>\n

Cillian Murphy absolutely dominated in 28 Days Later. The latest instalment tries hard, but fails, to scale those cinematic heights.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Showing now until July 3 at the Queen\u2019s Film Theatre<\/a>, Belfast<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Support social affairs journalism \u2013\u00a0subscribe to VIEWdigital<\/a>\u00a0for \u00a33.33 a month<\/strong><\/p>\n

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